12-10-2021: A team of office bearers of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jammu led by its President Shri Arun Gupta met Chief Secretary Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta (IAS) and had a cordial discussion on various Demands and concerns raised by traders body regarding the different issues related to trade and Industry in Jammu region.
While reiterating their demands before the Chief Secretary Chamber Representatives stressed for the immediate redressal of the following issues:
1. Banquet Halls be permitted with 50% capacity for the persons who have been administered both doses of Covid Vaccine. (Order permitted with 25% capacity issued)
2. Sale and Purchase of agricultural land by Mahajans, Khatri’s, Sikh, Jain, etc. be allowed by amending the Land Act which otherwise bars the above groups to Sell or purchase the same.
3. Policy and rules regarding renewal and obtaining of NOC by Bar Vendors be relaxed in accordance with the other States of India and of course in consonance to the directions of Hon’ble High Court.
4. Examine and find some modality to review the Excise Policy without violating the court orders to accommodate the old licensees who lost their source of income and were rendered jobless.
5. Permitting of Reliance Outlets in Jammu must be reviewed in order to protect the interests of small traders. Rider must be imposed in obtaining of a license under Shop and Establishment Act.
6. Summer and Winter Capital of J&K must be defined in order to remove the apprehensions regarding the abandoning of the Durbar move and introducing the of e-filling arrangement.
7. Representatives of Chamber and Commerce and Industry be invited and taken into confidence before imposing any decision or rule which directly or indirectly affects the trade and Industry of Jammu.
8. Passenger Tax which is being levied on Commercial Vehicles at Lakhanpur be abolished forthwith in accordance with the One Nation One Tax.
9. Cinema Halls be allowed with 50% capacity for the persons having taken both doses of Covid Vaccine. (Order issued for 25% capacity)
10. Rates of Sand and Bajri in mining be controlled and fast environmental clearances be issued.
11. Power Amnesty/VAT amnesty Scheme announce last year in view of Covid 19 situation be extended in order to benefit all those consumers who otherwise have not availed the same for different reasons.
Chief Secretary Shri Arun Kumar Mehta while giving a passionate hearing on all above demands in detail assured the visiting team that all these demands shall be taken on with the concerned departments and l also be pursued with the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of J&K. Necessary action shall be taken on all the genuine grievances of the traders as per rules on the subject
Chief Secretary further said that CCI is always welcome to give its inputs to the administration for good governance and for the welfare of its citizens.
The other members of a visiting group of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry met Sh. Arun Kumar Mehta (Chief Secretary), comprising of Sh. Anil Gupta (Sr. Vice President), Sh. Gaurav Gupta (Secretary-General), Sh. Rajesh Gupta (Secretary)